The Hippodrome Foundation

The Hippodrome Foundation, Inc. is a non-profit organization established in 1976 to present the best of live theater in Baltimore. Recognizing the demands and expectations of the new world of theater and the performing arts, the Hippodrome Foundation undertook the renovation and adaptation of the historic Hippodrome Theatre with world-class partners, the Maryland Stadium Authority and Clear Channel Entertainment. The legendary Hippodrome Theatre, reborn at The France-Merrick Performing Arts Center, is now the centerpiece not only of world-class stage performances, but of a totally revitalized West Side of Baltimore, with an impact unbounded by geography.

Opening
In February 2003, Profiles, Inc. was hired to enhance the position of the Hippodrome Foundation (then the Baltimore Center for the Performing Arts) as the visionary and leader in bringing first-rate performing arts to downtown Baltimore. To achieve this goal, Profiles initiated a comprehensive communications campaign to maximize public awareness of the Foundation's leadership role and its accomplishments in the development of The France-Merrick Performing Arts Center, leading up the 2004 opening.

Then, on February 10, 2004, the Hippodrome Foundation reached the pinnacle of its 28-year history when the Hippodrome Theatre at The France-Merrick Performing Arts Center re-opened to a sellout crowd of 2,276 during a gala celebration. Gala goers were treated to a sumptuous dinner, an opening night performance of "The Producers, the new MEL BROOKS musical," an after show reception, and, for many, their first glimpse of the newly renovated France-Merrick Performing Arts Center. To maximize exposure of this once-in-a-lifetime spectacle, Profiles was at the center of a comprehensive media outreach campaign that attracted local and national media coverage of the grand opening of The France-Merrick Performing Arts Center.

Results: On behalf of the Hippodrome Foundation, Profiles garnered more than $4.5 million worth of non-paid media attention from news outlets such as USA Today, Associated Press, The Washington Post, CBS Radio News, The Baltimore Sun, WJZ-TV, WBFF-TV, WMAR-TV, WBAL-TV, Baltimore magazine, Style Magazine, WBAL-AM, WCBM-AM, Baltimore Business Journal, The Daily Record, and Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

The Hippodrome Foundation was a client of Profiles during the 2003-2004 opening season of the Hippodrome Theatre at the France-Merrick Performing Arts Center